5 Uses for LinkedIn You Need to Know

LinkedIn has quickly become an staple in for the job search and you will find countless resources explaining how to create a professional profile. Having a solid profile is a greatstart and all, but that is just the beginning. Here are my top 5 favorite uses for LinkedIn for those seeking jobs or exploring career options:

5. Resume development: who better to tell you what to talk about than people who are currently doing the job? 

You need to adapt your resume to the specific position to which you are applying. If the job posting does not give enough information to do this, try using the Advance Search feature to find the profile of someone who has a similar job title in the same/competing company. If their profile is complete, you will be able to see how they describe the position and any specific skills or contributions may be detailed. These are things you may wish to address on your own document. Or, you may learn about certifications or additional trainings that may prove useful to you in your own professional development.

4. The Alumni page: even the people who slept through class may be able to teach you something now

There are a lot of things you can do on this page, but one of my favorites is to search for fellow AU graduates with your major to identify possible career options and/or companies to pursue. Especially for majors that offer a variety of career options, this may be a way to narrow down your focus or identify specific companies to research and target in your search for internships or full-time positions. It is also a great way to connect with fellow alumni and begin networking into positions. 

3. Research your interviewer: you wouldn’t show up to a blind date without Googling the person would you?

If you receive a request for an interview be sure to find out with whom you will be interviewing. This is your chance to do a little research into this person/persons to learn more about areas of similarity or topics you may want to bring up during the interview. For instance, if she has a lot of information about her volunteer efforts with the American Cancer Society and you have taken part in a fundraiser to race for the ACS than you definitely want to bring that up during the interview to find a common area of interest that will catch his/her attention. Now there is a fine line between research and sounding like a stalker, so try not to mention anything too personal that may make them uncomfortable. 

2. Groups: your free access to experts and professional development…what more could you want?

No matter where you are in your career…haven’t even begun or a seasoned professional, group membership in LinkedIn can be very valuable in your professional development. Don’t be afraid to join groups of interest or part of your professional associations and contribute to the conversation. Please do not be “that person” who goes into a group and has your first interaction consist of you asking for a job. No one likes that person and rarely is that effective. Instead, lend your opinion to the questions of others or pose questions concerning your own career interests or class projects. Asking for advice and information is always appreciated. Also, there are always posts linking to new research and articles of interest which could be very beneficial to you as well, so be sure to stay involved.

1.NETWORK…strategically: seriously, you had to see this coming people

It is not enough to just be on LinkedIn, you must use it effectively. Once you have built your profile and started connecting to people, start your networking by sending a message to someone who either works in a company or position of interest. Again, NO NOT ASK FOR A JOB! Instead ask for information and advice. Everyone’s favorite topic is themselves, so don’t be afraid to stroke their ego a little. If possible, ask to meet face-to-face or over the phone to engage in an informational interview. After your discussion ask to stay in contact or if there is someone else they know that may be willing to meet. This technique can often land in a position or at the very least be a valuable learning experience. Contacting alumni or people in higher positions in the company are typically your best option since they are more likely to want to help and less likely to view you as a threat.

This is just a sampling of what you can do with this valuable tool, what additional uses have you found that you would like to share?

Written by Addye Buckley-Burnell

Assistant Director of Career Development

It's Career Fair Time...Are You Ready?

Every semester you will see a variety of career fairs advertised hosted by different departments and organizations on and off campus. This is a great time to take advantage to a variety of employers all in one place. One of the biggest complaints job seekers have is the lack of human interaction during their job search. So often, you will submit all application materials online and will hear nothing back one way or the other which leaves a lot of unanswered questions. 

A career fair gives you the opportunity to speak with a company representative/recruiter, ask questions, and allow them to get to know you a little before seeing your resume which is a huge benefit. Taking advantage of these opportunities to network, learn about employers, and/or look for a position is an important step in the job search. Being prepared for this is essential and not always easy.


Before the Event:


1)  Do your research
A list of participating employers will always be available to students before a career fair and is a necessary tool in preparing. Use this list to begin researching possible positions you might be interested in applying for as well as the companies themselves. You may notice that recruiters are looking for specific majors, but most of the time, they are open to speaking to any major. 
Research- 

• what the company does
• where they are located
• their mission 

This will allow you to be better prepared when speaking with the representative. The Career Center offers a free app AU Career Fair+ that allows you to do research, see a map of the event, and even filter positions by major, type, and other criteria. Feel free to bring notes that you can glance at before the event.

       


2) Plan your route
When a map is available, plan who you will see and in what order. It never looks good to just go booth-to-booth, so plan to scatter and come back later to booths nearby.


3) Prepare your resumes
Have a variety of resumes for the different types of positions you are interested in pursuing. Remember to bring a copy into the Career Center to be reviewed before attending the events. Bring enough copies and make sure they are printed on resume paper.

4) Business cards
Some students choose to bring job search business cards with them as well in case the employer is not allowed to take a resume. The Career Center has printable sheets available for students for free if interested. This video will tell you more-

http://vimeo.com/aucareer/businesscards


Day of event:

1) Dress the part

Business professional dress is always recommended and often required. 
 
Women should also wear a suit with pressed conservative shirt and polished shoes. This suit may include pants or a skirt, but if you choose to wear a skirt, it should be knee length and hose are often suggested. All items should fit well and be clean and tidy. Shoes may be flat or low heels (less than 2 inches) and closed toe is recommended. Keep it classy; if you would wear it out to a club, it should not be included in your attire for these events so no cleavage, tight clothing, or super high heels. 

This means full suit for men with polished shoes and pressed shirt and tie. Avoid crazy colors or distracting patterns and all items should be clean and well fitted.

Try to remember that your clothes should be unremarkable- you want to be remembered for what you say not what you wear. For ideas and suggestions- 
Pinterest
Tip Sheet





2) Arrive early
Most employers have to travel home after the event and often pack up early. The early students tend to get to speak with employers before they get tired or pack up so it is beneficial to be there at the beginning of the fair.


At the event:


1) Introductions
Shake hands (firm handshake) with all representatives and introduce yourself with your 30 second commercial. 


Try to engage them in conversation and express interest while showing your knowledge of the company. If you notice that they have been talking to a lot of students without a break, it never hurts to offer to grab them a glass of water- good way to stand out.

2) Network
Speak to representatives and other attendees as much as possible. You never know who you might meet and who they might know. Collect business cards and be sure to make notes before you leave to reflect upon when you follow-up.


3) Swag
Many companies will have giveaways but they can get bulky quickly. It is alright to take something if it is offered, but avoid being bogged down by swag. One suggestion is to go back to the table before you leave the event to pick up goodies so that your hands are free during to shake hands.


After the event:


1) Thank you notes
Write a thank you note to everyone you had contact with during the event. This is time consuming but a great way to stand out in a positive way and be remembered. This is where the business cards will come in handy for names, addresses, and helpful notes you took during/after the event. Send thank you notes within 24 hours for biggest impact. The only time a thank you note should be emailed is if a decision is set to be made the same day, all others should be sent through the mail.


2) Follow all given instructions
Many employers you meet at the fairs will tell you to go online to complete the official application process. Be sure to do this as soon as possible to ensure you are in the running for positions. Some employers will host next day interviews on campus. If you are invited to an interview, arrive professionally dressed, 5-10 minutes early, with resumes and don't forget the name of the person and company with which you are interviewing.


3) Follow-up
After following all directions of applying and sending the thank you note, it is appropriate to follow-up with the representatives you meet within 2 weeks to ensure all documents arrived and to restate interest. This is also customary when applying for positions that are not affiliated with a career fair. It is an essential part of the application process and can give you a chance to correct any problems with your application and give a voice to your documents.



With these few easy steps, you will be able to navigate a career fair like a professional. Remember, these employers are here to hire Auburn students, so take advantage of the opportunity to meet with them face-to-face. 

For a list of all career events and fairs, visit the Career Center website.